Does Personality and Anxiety Symptomatology Matter in the Diabetes Mellitus Treatment Adherence? A Cross-Sectional Study Among Women with Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract

Abstract
 Purpose: Anxiety is prevalent among women with diabetes mellitus. Women also tend to have higher levels of neuroticism and anxiety. These symptoms can have an impact on social functioning and diabetes care. The main aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety symptoms, and other clinical and psychosocial variables, among women with diabetes mellitus (DM).
 Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on women with diabetes mellitus. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were acquired, including perceptions on religious practice, social support, and diabetic self-care. Study subjects completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) and the Big-Five Inventory (BFI). The neuroticism subscale of the BFI was used for analysis.
 Results: The study included 141 subjects (Median age: 64.0 years, IQR: 52.5–71.0 years) with a median duration of diabetes of 12.0 years (IQR: 6.0–20.0 years). Neuroticism scores correlated positively with the GAD-7 scores (Spearman’s rho: 0.406; p<0.001). In the bivariate analysis, neuroticism also had significant association with employment status (p=0.023), religious practice (p=0.006), perceived social support (p=0.001), and perceived ability of diabetic self-management (p<0.001). In the regression analysis, after controlling for employment, religious practice, and social support, neuroticism remained associated with anxiety (p<0.001) and diabetic self-management (p=0.001).
 Conclusions: Neuroticism was related to poorer subjective sense of diabetic management and a greater level of anxiety among women with DM. Improving self-efficacy in managing diabetes may help patients coping up with anxiety symptoms among those with neuroticism traits. This may also contribute to a better understanding of features and effective treatment of women with DM.
 

Why Should Diabetes Women Be Active?- the Role of Personality, Self-Esteem, Body- Esteem and Imagery

“…In the cross-sectional study, Woon et al [20] studied The Big-Five Personality Traits and Quality of Life in Elderly Malaysian Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. The results of the study, they undoubtedly confirmed the hypothesis that personality traits may play an important role in moderating the impact of diabetes on patientsʹ lives, even among elderly diabetic patients who were likely to have lived with the disease for a long time.…”

“…Traits such as conscientiousness and agreeableness may act as protective factors for the ʹQuality of lifeʹ variable in older patients with diabetes, while the trait of neuroticism may potentially be a risk factor for reduced ʹQuality of lifeʹ in these patients [20].…”

Why Should Diabetic Women Be Active?—The Role of Personality, Self-Esteem, Body-Esteem, and Imagery

“…In the cross-sectional study, Woon et al [34] studied the Big Five Personality Traits and Quality of Life in Elderly Malaysian Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. The results of the study undoubtedly confirmed the hypothesis that personality traits may play an important role in moderating the impact of diabetes on patients' lives, even among elderly diabetic patients who were likely to have lived with the disease for a long time.…”

“…Traits such as conscientiousness and agreeableness may act as protective factors for the 'Quality of life' variable in older patients with diabetes, while the trait of neuroticism may potentially be a risk factor for reduced 'Quality of life' in these patients [34].…”

“…Women with diabetes are more neurotic and conscientious than healthy women. According to Woon et al [34], neuroticism is associated with a diminished subjective sense of diabetic management and heightened levels of anxiety, particularly among women with diabetes mellitus (DM). Enhancing self-efficacy in diabetes management could potentially aid individuals in coping with anxiety symptoms, especially among those exhibiting traits of neuroticism.…”